Baby Hints & Tips

6 Tips for Surviving IVF

Lauren and her husband are IVF veterans with their experiences tallying into double figures. Today they are delighted to have two little people in their home after IVF made their parenting hopes possible. Lauren shares with us her tips for those ‘in the journey’ of IVF and how to survive the highs and lows…

When my husband and I made the decision to start a family six years ago, never in a million years did I think we would need to turn to IVF to help make our family a reality. After 13 IVF cycles which includes 11 transfers and 2 cancelled attempts, I’ve picked up a few tips along the way which will help hopefully you navigate your next IVF cycle

Have extra supplies

Let’s face it, preparing a syringe and drawing up hormones and medication is stressful and on more than one occasion I managed to snap a needle removing a cap or better yet, snap a needle clean off the syringe – making it useless. After experiencing mass panic and making a mad dash to our Doctor to pick up more supplies, I always made sure there were extra syringes/needles at home just in case.

Stock up on things which make you feel good

Before your cycle begins make sure you have a good supply of your favourite comfort foods, a couple of good books or favourite magazines to keep you occupied waiting for appointments, as well as a heat pack and suitable pain relief for those days when your tummy feels bloated and sore.

Look after yourself

Yes it’s a no brainer, but there is no time more important to be looking after yourself both physically and mentally. Take some time out to do the things you enjoy doing as a way to relax, have a sneaky afternoon nap if you feel like it, let yourself indulge in any cravings you may have or treat yourself to a pedicure.

Make life easy

During an IVF cycle is not the time to take on additional responsibilities or stress either at home or work. If possible take a little extra time off between you trigger injection and egg collection and even the day or two after as this is likely to be the time you will feel most uncomfortable. Also stocking your freezer with meals is another great way to make your life just that little bit easier.

Exercise

While everyone is different, I found starting my day with a short walk (even if it was only up to the end of the road) was a great way to ease my stress levels and help me feel good about myself. Everyone is different though, so it’s important to also listen to your body and not push yourself.

Surround yourself with a good support network

We made the decision to tell very few people about our IVF journey during the first year, not out of shame or embarrassment but simply because I didn’t feel like providing an update on the status of my ovaries and uterus to every single person we knew each week. However we did surround ourselves with a small group of family and friends who knew what we were going through and provided support along with welcome distractions when we needed it.

Have you done IVF? What would be your tip for a couple undertaking this process? Comment below

About the Author:

Lauren is a Mum to two little boys and writes at Create Bake Make . When she isn’t breaking up arguments over toy trucks, you will find her in the kitchen baking up a storm. She has a super sweet tooth and enjoying a slice of cake is one of her guilty indulgences. Lauren has a background in psychology and in her previous life she worked in rehabilitation and case management. In her rare quiet moments, you will find her curled up with a book or the latest magazine enjoying a coffee or indulging in her slight online shopping addiction.